Beginning of Essay
Stiernborg (1992) suggests, from his own study, that attitudes underpin knowledge and consequently, affect the actions of a healthcare professional. Acknowledging this finding, the writer proposes to define the term's homophobia and attitude. He then aims to diff ....

Middle of Essay
.... from his work as a volunteer for a local gay/lesbian helpline, as well as his observations within his professional work-place, namely, an Intensive Care Unit. A phobia is defined by Collins (1993) as, "an irrational and morbid condition; an intense and unreasoning fear or dislike." From this, homophobia can be defined as, "a pattern of attitudes - a revulsion towards homosexuals and often the desire to inflict punishment, mental or physical, as retribution" (Weinberg 1972). According to Collins (1993) an attitude is a, "way of thinking and behaving." Burns (1980), goes further and suggests that an attitude consists of three elements; what we believe ....